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Sunday, October 23, 2016

Top Ten Reasons why you Should Provide your Cat with a Premium Fish Oil Supplement.

Fish oil supplements are an ideal complement to your pet’s diet because they supply omega-3 fatty acids, which your cat or dog's body cannot sufficiently produce on its own. Still in doubt? Here are the top 10 reasons why it’s important to supplement your cat or dog's` daily intake with a quality fish oil supplement.

1. Your Cat Will Burn Fat More Efficiently

The Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil supplements help improve the metabolism of a dog and cat’s body in a natural way and cause body fat to burn more quickly.

2. Improved Development of Kittens and Puppies During Pregnancy

During a pregnancy, supply your canine or feline mama omega-3 needs with a pure, safe fish oil supplement. The reason is because the omega-3 fatty acid DHA helps improve brain development, concentration, immunity and eyesight, among other things.3. Slow Down Your Cat and Dog’s Aging Process

We all want to age more slowly, right? EPA and DHA found in fish oil help slow down the aging process by reducing inflammation and extending the longevity of cells. In this way, omega-3s help keep your pet kids feeling younger for longer.

4. Improved Flexibility

Because of the anti-inflammatory properties of EPA from fish oil supplements, the discomfort in your pet’s joints and muscles may actually decrease. What you will notice is that over time, fish oil supplements can help with stiffness to rise and help your pet be more active and enjoy walks and games with you.

Thanks to EPA and DHA from fish oil, your pet’s brain may age more slowly and perform optimally. The essential fatty acids in the omega-3s contribute to sounder sleep, an essential element in keeping concentration sharp.

7. Optimized Immune System Functioning

A daily supplement of omega-3s from fish oil supplements help the white blood cells perform their anti-inflammatory function optimally. This helps your cat and dog’s defense against diseases and other ailments by strengthening the immune system.

8. Better Heart Health

The omega-3s in fish oil supplements help keep cholesterol levels at a healthy level and help keep this vital muscle healthy.

9. No More Grumpy Cat

Fish oil supplements are proven to improve mood in humans, and studies are forthcoming about their benefits in pets!

10. Healthy Skin & Shiny Coat

The benefits of omega-3s in fish oil supplements for skin health are well documented, but did you know that omega-3s also help protect against sunburn?

Adding health-promoting fish oil to your cat and dog’s diet can be one of the best decisions you make for your companion animal.

(This article was adapted from a blog post written by Dr. Jane Bicks. The entire Dr. Bick's post, along with references can be found at: Click Here )

Saturday, October 22, 2016

(A majority of the information provided in this article is from a Life's Abundance Blog Article written by Dr. Jane Bicks.)

While technically concerned with human heart health, it’s vital that we expand the scope of the conversation to address canine and feline heart health, too.

Most people have a basic understanding of the risks of heart disease in humans, but when it comes to the heart health of our pet kids, that area remains a mystery to many.

In the following seven frequently-asked questions, we’ll consider the parallels between all three species (humans, canines and felines), to better understand heart disease.

How Widespread is Heart Disease?
Humans: In America, heart disease is the #1 cause of death. Annually, about 600,000 people die of heart disease, one in every four deaths.
Dogs and Cats: Although reliable statistics are not readily available for adult felines or canines, heart disease is not the pressing problem that it is for humans. That being said, heart problems are still common, with one in ten dogs developing valvular heart disease. As with many health issues, the risk for heart disease increases with age, especially for dogs over the age of nine (the age varies from breed to breed). When it comes to cats, tracking heart disease proves extremely challenging, as felines present virtually no physical symptoms from this condition.

What’s the Most Common Form of Heart Disease?
Humans: In adults, coronary artery disease is the most prevalent kind of heart disease. The main type involves plaque build-up in the arteries, which affects their ability to deliver blood to the heart. As the layers of plaque thicken and harden, blood flow to the heart is further restricted.
Dogs and Cats: The biggest difference here is that pet kids are not at-risk for coronary artery disease. While that’s good news, there are other medical conditions that dogs and cats face.
Dogs can suffer from mitral valve disease or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Mitral valve disease describes a condition where a valve on the left side of the heart fails to close properly. The problem with this is that blood pools into the left atrium, rather than exiting the left ventricle. Older, small-breed dogs are more likely to develop mitral valve disease, and the condition is only worsened by periodontal disease. DCM weakens the heart muscle so that it pumps less vigorously and regularly, a condition more common in large breeds.
Cats, on the other hand, are prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Here, the walls of the heart thicken and the muscle becomes less flexible. The unfortunate result is that the heart pumps less blood. HCM is a genetic disease that is found in both pure and mixed breed cats.

What are the Symptoms of Heart Disease?
Humans: Symptoms vary depending on the disease, but patients with coronary artery disease often have chest pain, arm pain and shallow breathing. And, of course, there’s the big wake-up call of a heart attack.
Dogs and Cats: Dogs typically exhibit signs such as low energy, trouble getting comfortable, labored breathing and a low-pitched, chronic cough. On occasion, they might actually collapse or faint. Cats may also become lethargic, as well as sleeping or hiding more than is typical. Often, cats will also lose their appetite. If a blood clot is swept from the heart and travels down through the aorta, felines can suffer a painful, sudden paralysis in their hind legs.Important note: If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical assistance immediately. And, if your companion animal experiences any of these symptoms, seek veterinary assistance immediately.

How Do You Test for Heart Disease?
Humans: Doctors can choose from a variety of diagnostic testing, including blood exams, treadmill tests, electrocardiograms and imaging analyses.
Dogs and Cats: For veterinarians, a stethoscope is the most effective way to identify heart disease. That being said, it is difficult to detect an issue absent a murmur. Sometimes an x-ray, ECG or echocardiogram may shed light on an undiagnosed problem.

What Medications are used for Treatment?
Humans: If you were to be diagnosed with heart disease, doctors might prescribe a blood-pressure medication, a blood thinner or a cholesterol-lowering drug (among other things). Patients often use medications to make the heart beat more slowly and to relax blood vessels.
Dogs and Cats: Many of the drugs we use are also used by dogs and cats. Treatments vary according to the animal and kind of heart disease. The important thing to note is that there are treatments available, and new research is presenting new avenues for improvement.

Can Diet Help to Prevent Heart Disease?
Humans: Diet has a big influence on heart health. Eating foods heavy with saturated and trans-fats can raise cholesterol levels and contribute to plaque build-up in the arteries. Conversely, a diet rich in omega fatty acids, whole grains and fiber can help to lower bad cholesterol levels and help prevent heart disease.
Dogs and Cats: A healthy diet has not been proven to significantly alter the rates of canine and feline heart disease … however much more research has been done on humans in this regard. It’s hard to overstate the importance of quality food and your companion animal’s quality of life.

What About Exercise?
Humans: Yes, definitely! Exercise lowers the risk of heart attack and reduces stress, another risk factor for heart disease.
Dogs and Cats: The kinds of heart disease commonly found in cats and dogs can't be avoided through exercise. But, as with people, regular exercise will improve overall health and help prevent obesity in pets.

And don’t forget what researchers, healing experts and therapy animals have been demonstrating for decades … that by taking care of a dog or a cat, you’ll also be taking care of your heart.

Thank you for all you do to make the world a better place for companion animals.

Monday, October 3, 2016

If you have, you know WHY Life's Abundance created a supplement in a kibble form for cats and their lovers. The fact that cats don't realize they are eating a supplement when you provide them Life's Abundance Wellness Food Supplements for Catsis just one great benefit and feature of this amazing product.

Every feline has unique nutritional needs. Therefore, Life's Abundance holistic veterinarian Dr. Jane Bicks has formulated a special supplement that provides additional nutrients from real foods to meet these needs. The nutrients contained in this top-quality supplement are made from foods such as chicken, pork, salmon, herring, fish oil, tomato, and alfalfa sprouts.

These yummy chewable nuggets are so tasty that even your most finicky feline are sure to enjoy them. If you are looking for an inexpensive way to help bridge the gap between average and optimal health, consider providing your best feline friend with Life's Abundance Wellness Food Supplements.

Life's Abundance Wellness Food Supplements are available in a 4.6 ounce bottle. For more information on Life's Abundance Cat Food or other products for cats go to: Lifes Abundance Cat Food

Friday, August 30, 2013

People often ask if cats can get asthma. Unfortunately, the answer is a definite, “Yes”.

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The signs of feline asthma can come on quite suddenly and can constitute a medical emergency, so let’s review this condition in some detail.
Just like in humans, the airways in cats with asthma become restricted and inflamed. Mucus forms in the respiratory tract and the airway walls spasm. This can lead to wheezing, coughing, tiredness and difficulty breathing. Some cats can also vomit or lose their appetite.

A cat having an asthma attack may sit with his head extended and breathe with an open mouth. Open mouth breathing is abnormal in cats. If you see this, consider it a sign of emergency and contact your veterinarian immediately.

So far as we can tell, any cat has the potential to develop asthma. The underlying cause remains unknown, though some veterinarians suspect allergies are involved.

The signs of asthma can mimic those of other respiratory diseases, such as feline heartworm disease, bronchitis, pneumonia or heart disease, so it is important to get your cat checked out as soon as possible if he or she develops clinical signs.

Also be aware that your veterinarian may run a couple of basic tests as well as chest X-rays to rule out other conditions, as asthma can be difficult to diagnose.
An X-ray of an asthmatic cat may show an abnormal pattern in the lungs, but only if in the throes of an attack.

As in humans, there is no known cure for feline asthma. Treatment focuses on treating and preventing asthma attacks. Medications, such as steroids and bronchodilators, are used to make breathing easier by reducing inflammation and opening up the airways.

Severe asthma attacks are considered a medical emergency. If the attack is severe, your cat may be hospitalized and given oxygen to help him breathe and reduce stress, because just like in humans, panic can worsen the attack.

As a holistic veterinarian, I’d like to see more use of alternative remedies, like homeopathy, herbs and specific nutrients. It is my personal feeling that asthma can be best managed with both traditional and holistic medicines. Some herbs are known to have anti-inflammatory properties which can help to support healthy lung tissues. I encourage pet parents to work closely with their regular vets and find holistic vets to use for valuable second opinions and non-traditional insights.

Since many veterinarians believe that there is an allergic component to asthma, try to remove inhalant allergies from the home through use of a HEPA filter and air purifiers. Consider using lidless litter pans and low-dust litter, along with minimizing your cat’s exposure to dust, aerosols, smoke, or other airborne irritants.

Do everything you can to help your cat be calm if he is experiencing difficulty breathing. Many times, just by staying calm, an asthmatic flare-up can pass. However, if you notice open mouth breathing or if your cat’s lips, tongue, or gums are turning bluish, call your veterinarian immediately.

Managing asthma in cats requires a strong partnership with at least one veterinarian you trust. With proper care, many asthmatic cats live long, happy lives. If you notice any of the above signs in your cat, be sure to talk to your veterinarian.

Thank you for all you do to make the world a better place for companion animals.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

About FeLV and FIV

(Article by Dr. Jane Bicks from February 2013 Edition of the Life's Abundance Newsletter.)

The great thing about cats is that they are superb at being independent and social companions. Most cats enjoy spending time outside playing with other felines.

As a pet parent, it is very important that you are aware of some possible dangers associated with having your cat freely roaming outdoors.

Since the 1960’s, Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) have been spreading amongst the feline population worldwide. While these two diseases are preventable, they are contagious and potentially fatal if they are not detected early enough.

The good news is that vaccines are available to decrease the chances that your feline will catch FeLV or FIV.

FeLV is commonly referred to as the ‘friendly cat disease’ since it’s transferred via saliva. Your cat can catch FeLV through sharing water bowls or even grooming an infected cat.

On the other hand, FIV is transmitted through bite wounds and cat fights. Since males tend to be more involved in territorial fighting they are at an even higher risk of catching FIV.

It is imperative to note that these viruses cannot be passed on to humans, dogs or other pets.

Feline immunodeficiency virus closely resembles HIV in humans. The virus attacks your cat’s immune system and may not show any signs until several years later. Another sinister aspect of FIV is that the symptoms can mimic other common illnesses, making it even harder to detect.

FeLV is somewhat different in its plan of attack. Feline leukemia virus goes after your cat’s genetic coding. This maneuver allows the virus to continue to reproduce infected cells at an alarming rate. Some cats are able to eliminate the infection before becoming sick. Other cats will carry and spread the disease despite never getting sick themselves. This virus can hide in bone marrow until it eventually surfaces in the form of many general symptoms.

There are several warning signs associated with FeLV and FIV; however, not every infected cat will exhibit the same red flags. Your cat may initially develop a fever or become suddenly and extremely fatigued, important indicators that something may be wrong.

Other chronic issues include respiratory infections, dental and gum infections, bone marrow issues and certain cancers. Also, if your kitty starts losing weight, having chronic diarrhea, or develops chronic infections of the skin and eyes, make an appointment to see your vet immediately.

Your vet will perform a SNAP test to accurately determine if your cat is infected with FeLV or FIV. The test is quick and requires only a small blood sample. FIV is predominantly diagnosed through this blood sample alone. A bone marrow sample, in addition to the initial blood sample, may be required to successfully determine a positive FeLV result.

Since FeLV and FIV are so complex, re-testing may be necessary. For example, if a kitten’s mother is infected with FIV or FeLV, the kitten may test positive at a young age. However, over time, their immune systems may be able to fight and overcome the infection, eventually resulting in a disease-free kitty. In contrast, if the FeLV virus is in the early stages and has not fully developed, it may not show up in the initial results. Later tests, further into the virus’ progression, will ultimately lead to a clear diagnostic result.

Early detection, treatment, and proper nutrition are essential for your cat to live as long and comfortably as possible. If your feline does test positive for FeLV or FIV, then they will require premium nutritional support since their bodies will be stressed and weakened from the virus. Make sure that the food you feed provides an optimal balance of vitamins, proteins, and antioxidants, to give your feline the best chance at maintaining strength and general well being. In cases like these, pet parents should strongly consider augmenting meals with nutritional supplements to further boost health and vitality.

If your cat tests positive for FeLV or FIV, I recommend that they make the transition to strictly indoor living. When immune systems are compromised, going outdoors could increase their risk for catching other viruses, parasites, or infections. Your cat will also be in harm’s way if they sustain any wounds from cat fighting or other traumatic events. Resulting injuries may not heal properly and might even become infected. You should isolate any infected cats or kittens from other cats to avoid further contamination. It is essential to test any new cats or kittens that you may be bringing home for FeLV and FIV.

As a feline pet parent it is great to provide your cat with the independence that they crave. However, you should pay close attention to any changes in the overall health or physical appearance of your outdoor cat. Early detection could be the key to saving your cat’s life.

Thank you so much for all you do to make the world a better place for companion animals.